1. RISES interest-free educational advances are for post-college study and are intended for applicants preparing for a church or mission vocation within the American Baptist denomination.

2. Applicants must be members of an American Baptist church within the ABCORI organization and have demonstrated an ongoing involvement with that church for at least one year. They are to be American citizens or to have permanent residency status.

3. Applicants must be accepted by an accredited Christian seminary (or school approved by the Society) by the spring deadline for applications. Preferencewill be given to applicants who have completed one year at then" chosen school.

4. Educational advances are made after a careful study of the full application, including the statement of call to a Christian vocation, previous academic record, personal references, financial disclosure, and an interview for first-time applicants.

5. Educational advances for each semester are sent directly to the recipient's account at the chosen school and are to be acknowledged promptly as soon as received. Loans are to be used only for tuition , for fees, and for books.

6. The amount of the loan is to be determined by taking into account the following: the applicant's need, the cost to attend the chosen institution, and the number of courses taken each semester.

7. Recipients are expected to maintain an academic level acceptable to the institution being attended. They are to submit a copy of their grades at the end of each semester/interim/summer session.

8. Recipients are to inform the Society promptly of any changes in their educational plans, their financial status, or the number of courses taken each semester. Failure to inform the Society of changes, or to acknowledge the receipt of each semester's deposit, or to submit grades promptly, will, at the Society's discretion, result in a reconsideration of the educational advance.

9. Recipients may reapply annually for a period up to 5 years. Extensions may be considered on a case-by-case basis.

10. At the conclusion of academic work, recipients must inform the Society annually as to their specific vocation, their current denominational affiliation, and their current address until the educational advance requirements are fulfilled.

11. Educational advances become grants when the recipient has served in the chosen church or mission vocation and has supported and been affiliated with the American Baptist denomination/International Ministries continuously for 5 years following graduation with a degree from the chosen school.

12. Should an educational advance recipient withdraw from school or no longer be affiliated with the American Baptist denomination, all loans must be repaid. The method of repayment shall be arranged with the Society.

13. The Board of Directors alone has the authority to determine educational advance/grant amounts and to set stipulations concerning them. No individual may determine amounts, set stipulations, or make exceptions to the established policies.

14. The Society will, for educational advance recipients seeking ordination, fund a portion of the required assessment at the Center for Career Development and Ministry.

THE MOTTER FUND

The W. Eugene Motter Scholarship Fund was established in 1988 in memory of Dr. Motter by his widow, Clara Motter. The grant is awarded by the RIBES Board of Directors at its discretion.1. The Motter Scholarship is for an American Baptist student preparing for the pastorate or mission field.

​2. The recipient shall be a student attending a seminary in covenant relationship with the American Baptist denomination, but preferably Andover Newton Theological School.3. The award is a special scholarship and is given in addition to educational advances.